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Ardra, also known as Arudhara and Thiruvathira, is one among
the 27 nakshatras or birth stars and numerous incidents associated with Shiva
happened on this Nakshatra day.

The most important Thiruvathira Nakshatra is in the month of
Margazhi (December – January) in Tamil Calendar or Dhanu Masam in Malayalam
Calendar. The Arudhara Darshan takes place on the day. It is believed that
Shiva performed the Nataraja dance on this day.
Another belief is that Shiva and Shakti merges on this day.
Women of certain communities observe a fast on the
Thiruvathira day in Dhanu month for the peace and prosperity of the family.
Another belief is that Devas and Goddess Rati performed vrat
and other austerities on Thiruvathira day to bring back Kamdev to life, who was burned down by Shiva.

Story of Matanga Rishi is mentioned in the Aranya Kandha of
Ramayana. Sabari, who attained moksha through her devotion for Sri Ram, resided
in this Ashram. Bhagavan Sri Ram and Lakshman stayed in the ashram of Sage
Matanga during the exile period. It was due to a curse by Matanga Rishi that
King Bali was unable to fight his brother Sugreeva in the RishymukhaMountain.

When Bali was the ruler of
Kishkindha he killed a demon named Dundhubhi. He then kicked the body of demon
towards RishymukhaMountain. The blood
clotting body of the demon fell in the ashram of Sage Matanga Rishi in the RishymukhaMountain.
Ashram became polluted due to this unholy act and Matanga
Rishi cursed King Bali that his head will blast into pieces if he entered the RishymukhaMountain.
Sugreeva who was chased by King Bali took refuge in the RishymukhaMountain. Thus King Bali was unable to
kill Sugreeva.

Ravi Dasami Parv is observed when there is Dasami Tithi
falls on Sunday. The day is dedicated to Surya or sun god. It is considered
highly meritorious to offer prayers to Lord Surya on the day. Ravi Dasami Parv 2018 dates are February 25, July 8, November 18 and December 2.

Early morning prayers to rising sun and chanting of Gayatri
mantra are performed on the day.
Some devotees also take holy morning dip on the day in
sacred rivers, ponds, lakes and sea.

Swargdwareshwar Mahadev is worshiped
in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the 84 forms of Shiva
worshiped in Ujjain. Those offering prayers to Swargdwareshwar Mahadev will
attain heaven.
The temple dedicated to Swargadwareshwar Mahadev is located
at Nalia Bakhal in Ujjain.

This form of Shiva is associated with Devas retaining heaven.

Swargdwareshwar Mahadev is counted among the
84 Shiva Temples in Ujjain and it is the 9th temple
visited during the parikrama of Shivalayas here.

Story of Swargdwareshwar Mahadev form of Shiva in Ujjain

When Sati died at Daksha Yajna, there was confusion all
around. Shiva let loose his Ganas who created terror in the universe. The Ganas
occupied heaven and Devas were without a place to live.

Devas then approached Brahma. He advised them to go to
Mahakaal Vana and offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

Here they offered prayers to a Shivling. Shiva appeared
before Devas and agreed to call back Ganas from heaven.

Some Shivlings are in the shape of an egg especially the
Banalinga. God as per Hindu concept is formless and That can only be
represented symbolically. Shivling in the shape of egg is one such form.
Symbolically the egg-shaped Shivling represents the
universe. It is divided into two halves sky and earth.
The egg is also considered the source of life in which both
male and female forms are united.

Fundamentally we live in a world that is constantly
changing. Most of us do not feel integrated with that change. We feel as if we
are standing apart from it, in some way isolated from it. To a large extent, we
resist it. Resistance means dissatisfaction.

The Divine is all there is. We are part of That. Indeed, we
are That. If through our foolishness, our ego, we stand apart from It, we
cannot possibly find the happiness that our hearts seek. Therefore, we must
recognize that the secret is in letting go of the separate I. We must move
towards an ever greater feeling of universality, of impersonality rather than
thinking we are an individual I separate from everyone else.
We must recognize the error that we are making and have
total dispassion for the little I. We must be determined to move away from it.
We also need to practise the presence of God or the Universal through selfless
service, through devotion to God, through meditation, through enquiry into who
we are.– Swami Atmaswarup…

Tithi in Hindu Calendar on Monday, January 16, 2017 (Today)
– Krishna Paksha Chaturthi Tithi or the fourth
day during the waning phase of moon inHindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Chaturthi
Tithi or the fourth day during the waning phase of moon till 1:48 PM on January 16. Then onward it
is Krishna Paksha Panchami Tithi or the fifth day during the waning phase of
moon. All time based on India Standard Time. How is January 16, 2017
as per Hindu Panchang? – It is a good date. Nakshatra – Magha or Makam Nakshatra till
1:22 AM on January 16. Then onward it is Purva Phalguni or Pooram Nakshatram.
In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and
south Rajasthan), it is Purva Phalguni or Pooram Nakshatra till 11:17 PM on
January 16. Then onward it is Uttara Phalguni or Uthiram Nakshatra. Rashi or Moon Sign –
Karka Rashi till 1:16 AM. Then onward it is Simha Rashi.
In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and
south Rajasthan), it is Simha Rashi…